Family identifies woman found killed and burned in Worcester last month

Sunday

Jan 12, 2014 at 5:46 PMJan 12, 2014 at 7:41 PM

By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Alyssa Forino had plans to help others and pursue a career in child psychology, but the 20-year-old woman's life ended before she could follow that path.

The parents of Ms. Forino, who grew up in New York and Florida, have identified her as the woman who was killed and burned Dec. 4 in a pathway area on Suffolk Street. Her killing remains under investigation and Worcester police have not publicly identified her as the victim.

"She was just so happy. No matter what happened she was always happy," her father, Kenny Forino, said in a telephone interview from his home in New York. "She would walk into a room and everyone would smile. She wanted to work with kids."

"I was just about to buy her a ticket so she could come here to spend Christmas with me," he continued.

The petite woman, who stood 4 feet 8 inches tall and weighed a little over 80 pounds, followed her boyfriend to Worcester, said her mother, Melinda Forino, in an interview through social media. Ms. Forino had met the boy when she was 9. The family did not want her to move to Worcester.

Ms. Forino grew up on Long Island, N.Y., then moved to Pensacola, Fla., after her parents separated. She met her boyfriend while living in Florida and eventually attended Booker T. Washington High School, excelling as an artist and a singer, according to her parents.

"She was a bright, loving little girl," Melinda Forino said. "She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She had a bright future ahead of her and would have made a difference in many lives. My sunshine will be dearly missed forever."

In the days around the time of the slaying, Mr. Forino said, he tried to reach his daughter on her cellphone. He talked to her almost every day. The call, however, went straight to voicemail. Mr. Forino, 40, of Commack, N.Y., learned through Facebook that something had happened.

"I can't believe someone would even do such a thing," Mr. Forino said. "She was a beautiful girl. She was such a nice person. She would buy people food. No one had any right to do this. I just want them to find who did this."

Court records filed in the arrest of one man in connection with the killing gave an account of Ms. Forino's death. Dominic Jackson, 34, of Worcester, is accused of aiding an attempt to cover up Ms. Forino's death. He faces charges of being an accessory, after the fact, to murder, crack cocaine possession and burning personal property. He has pleaded not guilty and his case is pending in court.

Mr. Jackson told investigators he had been smoking crack cocaine for hours with a woman and two men when one of the men struck the woman twice in the head with a rock about 3 a.m. Dec. 4. Mr. Jackson allegedly helped the man move the woman's body after determining she was dead and accepted an offer of crack cocaine in exchange for helping to dispose of the body by burning it.

"Mr. Jackson then went and got gas and returned and assisted in burning the body with the larger black male described," police said in a statement filed in court. Mr. Jackson said he had just met the other man the previous night and did not know his name, according to authorities.

Ms. Forino's parents said they do not believe their daughter was using drugs. They want someone charged with her killing.

Mr. Forino said his daughter lived in Worcester about seven months and was working hard. She worked three jobs to pay the bills and rent. One job was at a local Dunkin' Donuts, another at an area restaurant, and she also cleaned apartments.

Melinda Forino said her daughter's death has left a void for her and her family. The young woman had graduated with honors from high school, and cherished her younger sister and older brother. Ms. Forino has two half-siblings as well.

"She had so many plans for her future," said Melinda Forino, 37, of Pensacola, Fla. "All she wanted to do is help people."